Summary:
This paper discusses the creation of oil painting in Western modern painting art, and focuses on the importance of the unity of form and content to the creation of oil painting. Firstly, the application of visual aesthetic theory in oil painting is introduced, including color contrast and coordination, the expression of light and shadow effects, and the control of composition and proportion. Secondly, the interpretation and enlightenment of art theory on the form and content of oil painting are discussed, including the expression of artistic ideas and themes, the application of creative methods and techniques, and the unity of concepts and perceptions.
I. Introduction
The development of modern painting in the West is full of continuous exploration and experimentation of the form of picture composition. From Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism, artists have opened up a new realm of painting art through the reorganization and recreation of formal elements. However, this kind of exploration does not exist in isolation, but is closely linked to the evolution of social, cultural and contemporary contexts.
In the creation of oil paintings, the artists not only emphasize the purity and flatness of the painting itself, but also pay more attention to the relationship between the whole and the part, organically combining and arranging the basic painting elements such as points, lines, surfaces, spaces, and colors to form a picture with an independent visual language. In this process, the relationship between form and content has become a key issue.
II. The development of modern painting in the West
A. Exploration and Evolution of Pictorial Compositional Forms
The development of modern painting in the West is full of continuous exploration and evolution of the form of picture composition. From Impressionism at the end of the 19th century to Cubism and Futurism at the beginning of the 20th century, and then to Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism, artists have constantly challenged traditional concepts of painting and explored new forms of composition and expression.
The emergence of Impressionism marked an important turning point in the art of modern painting in the West. Impressionist artists emphasized capturing momentary changes in light, shadow and color, breaking through the rigorous depiction of form and line in traditional painting, and focusing on capturing the perception and emotional experience of the observer. For example, Monet's "Impression Sunrise", with its blurred brushstrokes and bright colors, shows the change and flow of light and color in the natural landscape, leading to a new exploration of form by later artists.
Subsequently, the rise of Cubism and Futurism further promoted the innovation of pictorial composition. Picasso, Le Duin and other artists put forward new compositional concepts such as "multiple perspectives" and "collage", dismantling the three-dimensional space into multiple angles and perspectives, and presenting them on a flat picture, breaking the rules of perspective in traditional painting and highlighting the diversity and change of forms. This form of deconstruction and recomposition makes the picture no longer limited to the objective expression of reality, but more emphasizes the artist's subjective perception and expression of the world.
In the mid-20th century, the rise of Abstract Expressionism further deepened the exploration of form. Artists such as Pollock and Rothko use bold lines, colors and brushstrokes to present inner emotions and intuition directly on the canvas, emphasizing the freedom and expressiveness of formal language. The form in the picture is no longer limited by the objective object, but has become the carrier of the artist's emotional expression, showing a strong individuality and internal tension.
B. The Shaping and Evolution of the Creative Language of Oil Painting
As one of the important forms of Western painting art, oil painting also plays an important role in the development of modern art. The shaping and evolution of the creative language of oil painting is not only influenced by formal elements, but also by social and cultural backgrounds.
First of all, the continuous improvement of the materials and techniques of oil painting has promoted the evolution of the creative language. From tempera and crayons in the classical period, to oil paint in the Renaissance, to new pigments and canvases since the 19th century, the renewal of oil painting materials has continuously enriched the possibilities of painting expression, allowing artists to express their thoughts and emotions more freely.
Secondly, social and cultural changes have also had a profound impact on the creative language of oil painting. For example, the outbreak of the two world wars and the social turmoil after the war made artists think more deeply about the real world and the fate of mankind, which was reflected in their oil paintings, showing more complex and diverse themes and expressions. At the same time, the development of modern technology has also provided new ideas and visual elements for the creation of oil paintings, such as the emergence of photography, which has enabled artists to more accurately record the real world and integrate it into the creation of oil paintings.
III. Formal Elements and Expressions in Oil Painting
A. Classification and function of pictorial elements
The formal elements in the creation of oil painting include color, composition, line, shape, texture, etc., which play different roles and functions in the picture.
Color: Color is one of the most intuitive and powerful elements of oil painting. The artist creates different atmospheres and emotions by adjusting the light-shade, contrast, saturation, etc. of the colors. For example, warm colors are often used to express warm, lively emotions, while cool colors are often used to express cold, melancholy emotions.
Composition: Composition refers to the way in which the individual elements in a picture are laid out and combined. Through rational composition, the artist directs the viewer's gaze and highlights the theme or focus of the work. Common composition methods include golden section, symmetrical composition, hierarchical composition, etc., each of which has its own unique aesthetic effect and expressiveness.
Lines: Lines can be used in oil painting to outline images, divide spaces, express dynamics, etc. Different types of lines, such as thickness, straightness, continuity, discontinuity, etc., can convey different emotions and moods. For example, thick lines are often used to express strength and stability, while delicate lines are often used to express soft and delicate emotions.
Shape: A shape is the outer contour or combination of contours of an object in a picture. The artist shapes the form and characteristics of the object through the size, proportion, and variation of the shape, so as to express the theme and emotion of the work. The combination and variation of different shapes can create a rich and varied visual effect, enhancing the expressiveness and appeal of the work.
Texture: Texture refers to the feel and texture of the surface of an object in a picture. Through the use of oil painting techniques, the artist can simulate the texture of different materials, such as smooth metal, rough wood grain, soft cloth, etc., so as to enhance the realism and three-dimensional sense of the work.
These formal elements are intertwined and interact with each other, and together constitute the overall image and expressive effect of the oil painting. By using these elements in the creative process, artists can create works that are expressive and appealing.
B. Diversity and characteristics of expressive techniques
There are many kinds of expressive techniques in the creation of oil paintings, and each technique has its own unique characteristics and artistic effects.
Realism: Realism is one of the most basic and traditional expressions in oil painting. Realist works strive to depict the objective world accurately and meticulously, and pursue the realism and realism of the image. Through precise painting techniques and meticulous observation, the artist presents the scenes and characters in the real world on the canvas, so that the audience can clearly feel the content and emotions expressed in the picture.
Impressionism: Impressionism is an emerging expressive technique in oil painting, which is characterized by its emphasis on the capture and expression of light, shadow and color. Impressionist works often depict momentary impressions and emotional experiences with rapid, blurry brushstrokes, highlighting the changes in color and the effects of light and shadow, making the viewer feel a vague and hazy aesthetic.
Abstract Expressionism: Abstract Expressionism was an important artistic movement of the mid-20th century, characterized by an emphasis on the free and individualized expression of formal language. Abstract Expressionist works often express the artist's inner emotions and intuition with fierce lines, bold colors and rich textures, presenting an artistic effect with strong impact and appeal.
Cubism and Cubism: Cubism and Cubism were important artistic movements in the early 20th century, characterized by the exploration of new possibilities of formal language through the deconstruction and reconstitution of three-dimensional space. Cubist works often use multiple perspectives, collages and other techniques to present the three-dimensional space in the picture, highlighting the diversity and variability of forms, so that the audience can feel a kind of three-dimensional and flat blend and collision.
IV. A unified perspective of form and content
Definition of form and content
In Western modern painting art, form and content are two core concepts, which are intertwined and interacted with each other, and together constitute the overall meaning and expressive effect of the work.
Form refers to the artistic form of the work, that is, the external form and technique of artistic expression, including formal elements such as color, composition, line, shape, texture, and other expressive techniques, such as realism, impressionism, abstract expressionism, and cubism. Form is the means and carrier used by artists to express inner emotions and ideological meanings, which directly act on the audience through the senses and convey the visual effect and aesthetic feeling of the work.
The content is the theme, emotion and thought to be expressed in the work, and it is the expression and externalization of the artist's inner world. The content includes the themes depicted in the work, the emotions expressed, the information conveyed, etc., which are the core meanings and conceptual connotations to be conveyed by the artwork.
There is both a close connection and a recognizable difference between form and content. Form is the expression and presentation form of content, and is the external embodiment of content, while content gives form inner meaning and value, and is the internal power and soul of form. Form is the carrier of content, and content is the soul of form, and the two complement each other and are interdependent, which together constitute the overall meaning and artistic value of the work.
B. The theoretical basis and value significance of the unified perspective
The unified perspective of form and content is a theoretical concept of artistic creation and aesthetic expression, emphasizing the close integration and mutual penetration of form and content, and advocating the unity and coordination of form and content of works of art.
Theoretical basis: The unified perspective of form and content stems from a deep understanding of the essence of art and aesthetic laws, and embodies the internal logic and regularity of artistic creation. It reflects the artist's experience and theoretical reflection on exploring the relationship between form and content in his creative practice, and is an in-depth interpretation and theoretical construction of the internal structure and external expression of a work of art.
Value significance: The unified perspective of form and content emphasizes the integrity and integrity of the artwork, which helps to enhance the artistic quality and aesthetic value of the work. Through the organic combination of form and content, the artwork can better convey the author's emotions and thoughts, arouse the audience's resonance and thinking, and realize the organic unity of art and life. At the same time, the unified perspective of form and content also helps to expand the expressive techniques and aesthetic possibilities of artistic creation, and promote artistic innovation and artistic development.
V. Exploration of artistic ideas and expressions
A. The influence of artistic ideas on form and content
In Western modern painting, artistic thought is the source of inspiration and spiritual support for the artist's creation, and has a profound impact on the form and content of the work.
1. Influence form: Artistic ideas determine the formal expression of the work. Abstract Expressionism, for example, emphasizes the direct expression of emotions and the inner world, and artists tend to convey the impulse of inner emotions and express personal mental states through formal elements such as intense colors, abstract shapes, and lines. In contrast, realism pursues the true representation of the objective world, and the artist pays more attention to meticulous depiction and precise composition, and the form is closer to the objective external appearance.
2. Influence content: Artistic ideas determine the content, theme, and ideological connotation to be expressed in the work. Different artistic ideas correspond to different thematic concerns and aesthetic orientations. For example, symbolism emphasizes the exploration of inner emotions and the spiritual world, and the content of works often involves dreams, fantasies, mysterious themes, etc., and artists tend to express inner emotions and spiritual pursuits through metaphors and symbols of form.
B. The role of creative mode in shaping artistic expression
The artist's creative method directly affects the formal expression and content expression of the work, and shapes the unique style and artistic characteristics of the work.
1. Use of Techniques: Different creative methods will lead to different techniques and expressions. For example, the choice of techniques such as thick and thin painting, fine depiction and rough painting in oil painting can produce very different visual effects and visual experiences, which directly affect the viewer's understanding and feeling of the work.
2. Creative attitude: The creative method reflects the artist's creative attitude and aesthetic concept. For example, for realist artists, they may adopt precise painting techniques and meticulous observation methods to pursue the true representation of the objective world, while abstract artists may pay more attention to expressing emotions and inner worlds, and adopt more free and abstract creative methods to express personal emotions and spiritual pursuits.
3. Innovative Practice: The continuous innovation and practical exploration of creative methods is an important driving force for the development of art. By constantly experimenting with new creative methods and techniques, and exploring new expressions and aesthetic possibilities, artists have promoted the development and transformation of art forms. For example, the Impressionist artists opened up a new field of pictorial expression by using the direct depiction of light and shadow and the pure use of color, which provided important inspiration and reference for later artistic creation.
VI. Conclusion
The theory of visual aesthetics plays an important role in the creation of oil paintings, guiding artists in the expression of form and content in order to achieve deeper aesthetic effects.
1. Color Contrast and Coordination: The theory of visual aesthetics emphasizes the importance of color in oil painting, and guides artists to use color contrast and harmony to enhance the visual effect of their works. For example, the use of contrasting colors can enhance the contrast and tension of the picture and attract the attention of the viewer, while the coordination of colors can create a harmonious visual atmosphere and enhance the overall beauty of the work.
2. Expression of light and shadow effects: The theory of visual aesthetics focuses on the influence of light and shadow on the form and surface texture of objects, and guides artists to accurately express light and shadow effects in oil painting. Through the use of perspective, chiaroscuro and color gradation, the artist creates real and three-dimensional object forms, enhancing the three-dimensional sense and texture of the work, and making the audience feel immersive.
3. Control of composition and proportion: The theory of visual aesthetics emphasizes the impact of good composition and proportion control on the work as a whole. Through the careful design of the picture layout, formal structure and proportional relationship, the artist creates a dynamic and orderly picture structure, which enhances the visual appeal and expressiveness of the work, so that the audience can better understand and appreciate the inner beauty of the work.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
Berger, John. "Ways of Seeing." Penguin Books, 2008.
Clark, T.J. "The Painting of Modern Life: Paris in the Art of Manet and His Followers." Princeton University Press, 1999.
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